Eric Ebron came into the NFL with the expectation that he would become the next Jimmy Graham. Referred to as a hybrid tight end, Ebron joined the Detroit Lions to potentially become the next top threat besides Calvin Johnson. However, a lackluster rookie season left a lot to be desired and now Ebron must prove that he really is the versatile threat everyone believes he can be. With training camp in full swing, the Lions are very happy with what the tight end has shown so far.
The Lions need Ebron to be the real deal. With Johnson aging and Golden Tate the only other consistent playmaker, Ebron must step up in his second year with the team. After catching just 25 passes in 13 games last year, general manager Martin Mayhew believes that 2015 will be a much better year for Ebron with the Lions.
"I see a lot more discipline, professional, motivated, realistic guy than what I saw last year," Mayhew said, via the Detroit Free Press. "And I think he had some youth and exuberance last year that kind of overcame a lot of really common sense sometimes. I think now he knows what's at stake, he knows what he has to do to be a great pro, and I see everything he has to do to be a great pro. This entire offseason he's been working his butt off to be better than he was last year, and I think he will be."
Last season the Lions passed up on a lot of playmakers to select Ebron, most notably Odell Beckham Jr. Now it is on the tight end to step up and put up the type of production that Johnson and Tate will be carrying. Fantasy owners would be wise to be weary of Ebron. With players like Brandon Pettigrew also on the roster, the Lions have depth. Any signs of struggle from Ebron and they will not hesitate to move on from him.
The same can be said for the team's run game. The Lions have Joique Bell as the potential starter, but Ameer Abdullah and Theo Riddick intend to battle him for the job. At the moment, Bell is out with an injury and his return is not yet known, opening the door for other players to move in. According to MLive.com, Abdullah is generating a lot of buzz at practice for the Lions and the rookie has some big expectations. If he can be more versatile than Bell, Abdullah will get the start. Picking up the rookie as an RB2 option could be a wise move for fantasy owners.
